First Sergeant Council: Team effort to care for Airmen, families

  • Published
  • By Lan Kim
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – “Shirt, you got a minute?” This question is posed to many first sergeants, but ask any of them and the majority would agree that it’s not just a minute.

“It’s never a minute – it’s usually 30 minutes to an hour,” said Master Sgt. Stephen Dugan, 60th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant and president of the First Sergeant Council at Travis Air Force Base, California.

That seemingly common question or any variation of it that seeks the guidance of a “shirt” spurs on conversations spanning a wide gamut of topics. Dugan asserts that Airmen often come to first sergeants for professional mentorship, help with personal issues or simply conversations about what they’ve been up to in their lives. On the dire end, though, it can also involve a hardship an Airman needs help with.

Dugan recalled one situation where he, along with the help of the FSC, facilitated the reassignment of a former unit member whose sister-in-law had recently died and left four children to foster care.

That Airman, Staff Sgt. David VanWhy, former 60th APS shift supervisor of cargo operations, desperately needed to be closer to his family in order to fight for custody of his sister-in-law’s children, according to Dugan.

At the time, Dugan said VanWhy had orders to deploy overseas which caused the initial hurdle of that custody battle. But Dugan figured if VanWhy completed his tour of duty, he would have the option of a follow-on assignment and consequently, was able to get a duty assignment closer to his family.   

It wasn’t until later on in the process that a turn of events occurred.

“Air Force Personnel Center came back and said he wasn’t medically cleared to deploy,” said Dugan.

VanWhy's deployment orders were canceled when, in turn, canceled his follow-on assignment, said Dugan.

With limited options, they decided to apply for the Humanitarian Reassignment and Deferment Program which grants temporary reassignment for Airmen struggling with acute hardships in their family, according to an AFPC article.

After several months, VanWhy was reassigned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and aid in the custody of his nieces and nephews.

“It was a long process,” said Dugan. “A lot of phone calls had to be made; a lot of getting the system to work for us. But in the end, we got him orders out of here.”

Meanwhile, a grateful VanWhy lauds the efforts taken to help him.  

My situation has drastically changed for the better,” he said. “I am able to help my wife, as well as my nieces and nephews through these tough stages they are going to face.”

“The help I received from my first sergeant was a blessing. He made me feel that mine and my family’s livelihood was important to him and the squadron, especially during these hard times,” said VanWhy. “I was especially grateful for the resources he helped provide that lowered the costs associated with the constant traveling between Sacramento and Little Rock.”

VanWhy stressed the importance of reaching out to a unit first sergeant and the council when impactful events occur to oneself or a loved one.

“Don’t go through it alone,” urged VanWhy. “Reach out right away. Your mind is already racing and struggling to comprehend the loss, let someone help with the other factors associated with that. Supervisors and especially first sergeants may be able to point you in the right direction and can prevent a lot of struggles.”

This critical moment in VanWhy’s life is the reason he insists on taking advantage of the knowledge and resources available from the FSC.

“Be involved and support the first sergeant council,” he said. “They are the backbone of support for Airmen and their families. I was lucky to have the support of my first sergeant and the 60th APS, and I will use my experiences to help anyone that may face the same challenges.”

Dugan emphasized the lessons learned from VanWhy’s situation and other critical moments of other Airmen greatly enhances the council’s ability to promote mission success and support the health and welfare of Airmen and their families. That knowledge is passed on and shared in their weekly meetings and training sessions so all first sergeants are equipped with the tools necessary to assist Airmen.

Since Travis’ base populous is more than 26,000, that can be a tall order for Air Mobility Command’s largest FSC.

“The scope of that is huge,” said Dugan. “But we make it work.”

Dugan explained that first sergeants are a regular presence within the squadrons. They not only forge relationships internally through their day-to-day interactions, but they also maintain close ties to external support agencies.

Throughout the year, the FSC hosts various events like the quarterly awards ceremonies to recognize Airmen and their achievements. Their annual fundraising effort, Operation Warm Heart, collects financial donations to support various initiatives that directly affect the morale and welfare of Airmen.

Whether it be grilling up some burgers and hotdogs to deliver to Airmen working the night shift, or helping an Airman in financial need, Dugan asserts that teamwork is the most significant factor contributing to the success of the FSC.

Being able to rely on one another is integral to keeping all the first sergeants, their assistants and additional duty first sergeants, in lock-step and moving in the same direction with organizational priorities, he said.

“I don’t know a shirt on this base that would turn their back on anyone for anything, doesn’t matter what time of day it is or what it impacted, they’ll give up their own free time to do it," said Dugan.

So, next time you have an issue, just ask, “Shirt, you got a minute?”